A Step Further 1969 Album

Savoy Brown

The lineup for this album could arguably be considered the quintessential one in Savoy’s career – three/fourths of what would later become the boogie rock juggernaut Foghat, and fronted by fan favorite front man Chris Youlden. But, as always, it contains at least one glaring flaw which cannot be ignored, which we will get to later. Meanwhile, the first half of the album splits the difference between rambling, pub-inspired blues rompers (“Made Up My Mind”), and slow-searing R&B exercises (“Life’s One Act Play”) which the group could pull off credibly, thanks to Youlden. Still, the orchestral touches and horn flourishes makes it all sound a bit stiff. The second half of the album is given over to a live jam, which is nothing but an informal collection of blues covers and others odds-and-ends like “Purple Haze” the group felt like letting loose on. As in, really loose. For hardcore fans only, I would say, as I never get through the whole thing in one sitting. All in all, I have to wonder what Simmonds and the band was stepping into here….